12 May 2016So suspicions have proven correct! Mr Malekos has sold the property, with planning permission for change of use. However, finding out who has purchased it is not so easy, without parting with a fee of £35 to pay the Land Registry for a copy of the register...

Photo courtesy of GoogleEarth

2 May 2016Nearly two years later and the site is contributing to the creeping tattiness in parts of the High Street, as it deteriorates and weeds begin to take hold.

It transpires that, a few months before putting in his planning application, Mr Malekos pleaded guilty to failing to provide information to the Security Industry Authority - full details here.

It is interesting to note that this company, Shadow Facilities Management Ltd, of which Mr Malekos was the only director, was only founded in August 2012 (see below under 6 April 2014) and the SIA investigation started a month later. The company went into voluntary liquidation in mid 2013, before the case came to court.

An internet search produced a number of references to this gentleman, one of which is:"Mr George Malekos is British. The first directorship we have on file for him was in 1995 at Shadow Security and Surveillance Ltd. His newest directorship was with Shadow Group Ltd where he held the position of "Company director". The company was established 14 Oct 2015. So far, George has held 19 directorships, 2 of which are currently active, and 17 are no longer active."Several companies founded by Mr Malekos have only survived for a short time and were set up with assets of just £100. Most of the companies have been liquidated or dissolved.

Having obtained planning permission, perhaps Mr Malekos is merely waiting for property prices to increase, so he can sell it on at a profit. However, there is only a year left before the planning permission expires.....Margot Rohan, Orpington Community

6 April 2014A planning application was submitted on 27 February and validated on 26 March. It is for change of use to an office (Class B1), with a rough plan (see drawings on the left). The target determination date is 21 May 2014. (To view the planning application, click here and enter 14/00712/FULL2 in the search window)

The applicant is Mr Georgios Malekos, the only director of Malekos Estates Commercial Ltd (Reg No. 08870203), which was incorporated in January 2014. A company called Malekos Estates Ltd (Reg No.04424186) has been in existence since 2002 and has several directors with the surname Malekos, listing Georgios Malekos (born 28 January 1972) as a director since January 2014. For some strange reason, the company has changed its registered address regularly over the years and, since 2009, has alternated between the same address in Southend-on-Sea and an address in West Wickham, changing every year to two years. Interestingly, Mr Georgios Malekos was previously the managing and only director of Shadow Facilities Management Ltd (Reg No.07324932), purportedly 'one of the United Kingdom's leading security and facility management companies'. However, it was only incorporated in August 2012 and went into voluntary liquidation a year later! There are obviously local links (West Wickham) but what this applicant's plans are for this site remain to be seen.

24 November 2013There was a meeting of the Executive and Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on 13 November, at which there was an agenda item (no.14a) entitled: 'Former Public Conveniences, Coney Hall, Elmers End and Green Street Green'. Unfortunately the report for this item was restricted (presumably due to financial and personal information contained therein). The next meeting of this committee is not until 8 January, so the minutes will not be available until the beginning of January.In the meantime the secretary of the Society has written to the officer given as the contact name, asking when the decision will be available in the public domain.WATCH THIS SPACE!!

22 October 2013The Trustees of Greenwood Community Centre submitted a conditional free transfer bid - offering to take over the site if the council received no other acceptable bids and demolished the building. Unfortunately this was not accepted, as other bids offering to purchase the site have been received. Bromley Council stated that they would keep the Society details on file and we will be contacted if the contract falls through. The tenders for considering will go to the Executive and Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee and the Portfolio holder will make a decision in the second half of November. Indications are that the existing building will be redeveloped. An update will be published once the council have reached a decision.

24 August 2013Despite great opposition voiced a year ago, when it was announced that the public conveniences were closing, there has not been much active interest shown by local residents now that the Council has put up the site for sale. However, there is still time to let the Village Society know if residents feel strongly or are concerned that the site will be sold for an, as yet undetermined, commercial use. The next committee meeting is on Monday 9 September. This matter will be on the agenda but, if residents have not made representations for the Society to take action to prevent the sale for a non-community use, it is unlikely that the Society will tender a bid.

The current arrangements for public toilets in the local area may not be ideal and residents may feel the need to write to their local councillors to ask the Council to improve the times of availability and the locations, but maintenance of the existing public toilets for the relatively low volume of usage would not be economically viable, even if a charge was levied.Anyone wishing to voice their concerns or suggest a possible community use and how to raise funds to maintain the site should contact the Village Society via the contact us page.

19 August 2013Some residents are already showing interest in ensuring this site remains for community use - even if no longer as public conveniences. No one can guarantee that a bid by the community will be accepted by the council. However, it is worth considering the costs, pitfalls and advantages of the site being taken over as a community asset and, if feasible, putting in a bid.If the community does nothing, it would be a pity if the site is either left to deteriorate or someone purchases it and puts it to a use residents feel is unsatisfactory.If you are prepared to be part of an action group and help investigate the possibilities, please add your comments below and contact us.(The documentation regarding the sale of the site can be accessed in the article below.)

8 August 2013Bromley Council is offering this site for sale by sealed bid, closing 2 October 2013. Any takers? Full details can be downloaded here.At least it has been made clear that the site is 'NOT SUITABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL USE', so developers will not be able to squeeze in an inappropriate house with no amenity space nor parking!IF it was considered viable to take on this extra area, would local residents be prepared to join an action group to make it happen? Funds would have to be raised for the purchase and a workable solution devised for its use, including covering the cost of maintenance. Could the building be economically maintained as public conveniences or refurbished and used as an extra facility, rooms for hire perhaps? Or would it be feasible to knock it down and create a garden area or allotments?

The next Village Society Committee meeting is on 9 September, so that will be the last chance for Green Street Green residents to have a say in whether the Society takes any action regarding this site. A dynamic sub-committee of at least 5 or 6 needs to be formed to take on management of this project, if residents feel strongly enough about closure of these public conveniences or want to ensure they have control of what happens to the site in the future. If you are prepared to volunteer to be part of an action group, please add your comments below and contact us.

8 July 2013Health professionals are concerned that the lack of public toilets may lead to an increase in:- Strokes, due to high blood pressure being exacerbated when desperate to go to the toilet- People with bladder problems afraid to leave their homes- Urinating in public places when people are 'caught short'Public toilets were introduced into the UK in 1851, following concerns about infection and disease from sewage in the streets. However, even the Romans thought public toilets were a necessary facility for civilised society!Green Street Green's public toilets, next to the Greenwood Community Centre, were always well used, both by locals and passing traffic, due to their convenient location and long opening hours. They were closed on 8 June 2012 and have been 'replaced' with community facilities (only available during normal opening hours) provided by:- Belmondo, in Brittenden Parade (one toilet plus nappy changing facilities but no disabled access)- Crescent café (one cubicle and one has to pass the service counter)- Royal Oak (not open until 12pm and unsuitable for children)What do you think about this situation? Please post your views below.Today's Daily Mail article.Guardian article 18 February 2011